Cape Carteret selects new police chief

Published: Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at 11:43 AM.

CAPE CARTERET — A law enforcement officer with extensive experience and strong ties to Eastern North Carolina will take on the job of police chief in Cape Carteret at the end of the year.

Sgt. Tony Rivera, who has served as a police officer with the town for nearly 15 years, was named to the position last week by the town Board of Commissioners.

A swearing-in ceremony has been set for Rivera for Dec. 16. He will assume the police chief position now held by Don Miller, who is retiring.

Miller served on the search committee, which recommended Rivera for the position.

“He comes highly recommended,” Miller said. “He’s worked with the department for many years, and I’ve worked with him for five years and think he has the many credentials and is very qualified to lead this police department.”

Miller is currently a part-time officer with the Cape Carteret Police Department and a law enforcement instructor for base police at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.

CAPE CARTERET — A law enforcement officer with extensive experience and strong ties to Eastern North Carolina will take on the job of police chief in Cape Carteret at the end of the year.

Sgt. Tony Rivera, who has served as a police officer with the town for nearly 15 years, was named to the position last week by the town Board of Commissioners.

A swearing-in ceremony has been set for Rivera for Dec. 16. He will assume the police chief position now held by Don Miller, who is retiring.

Miller served on the search committee, which recommended Rivera for the position.

“He comes highly recommended,” Miller said. “He’s worked with the department for many years, and I’ve worked with him for five years and think he has the many credentials and is very qualified to lead this police department.”

Miller is currently a part-time officer with the Cape Carteret Police Department and a law enforcement instructor for base police at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.

His experience has also includes service as a state trooper and officer with the Jacksonville and North Topsail Beach police departments.

Mayor Dave Fowler said Rivera’s knowledge of the town and the police department as well as his vast training and experience in law enforcement make him a top choice for the position.

“Tony has served the town a long time and at the end of the day I think it would be foolish to go with anyone else,” Fowler said.

Rivera was not available for comment.

The town board made the decision Monday night after meeting in closed session to discuss the personnel matter.

Back in open session, Commissioner Richard Hunt made the motion to hire Rivera and the board voted in favor on the action.

Rivera will receive a salary of $57,787, which is the same salary of the current chief.